Range Hood Cost: The Quick Numbers
Before you fall for a finish or a feature list, it helps to know what a range hood cost actually looks like from unit to installed reality. In 2026, the hood itself runs anywhere from about $100 for a basic recirculating model to $3,000 or more for a premium island or professional-style unit, and that's before anyone mounts it. The good news is that the price follows clear patterns once you know the four things that move it: hood type, airflow, whether you're running new ductwork, and your kitchen's layout. Browse a range hood lineup and you'll see those variables reflected directly in the sticker.
Then there's the part of the bill people forget: labor. Across national cost data, homeowners spend around $750 on average to install a range hood, with a typical range of roughly $400 to $1,500 and jobs that need new ductwork or a new circuit climbing toward $2,000 or more. Because range hood installation can quietly cost as much as the hood, it pays to understand what's driving each half of the total before you buy.
So here's the core takeaway of this guide: range hood cost is really two numbers — the unit and the installation — and the installation is the one that surprises people. A simple like-for-like swap can total a few hundred dollars, while a new hood that needs fresh ductwork, roof venting, and electrical can run $2,000 or more. The single biggest lever you control is whether you need new ductwork at all, which is why a ductless model or a straight replacement is dramatically cheaper than a full new install. Below, we break the numbers down by hood type, by installation task, and by the factors that push your quote up or down.
How Much Does the Range Hood Unit Cost?
Setting installation aside, the hood itself falls into three broad price tiers in 2026:
- Budget ($100–$300): basic under-cabinet and ductless/recirculating models with modest airflow and simple finishes.
- Mid-range ($300–$800): most wall-mount and better under-cabinet hoods, with stronger motors, quieter operation, and stainless or glass finishes.
- Premium ($800–$3,000+): professional-style, island, and downdraft units with high CFM, high static pressure, and designer finishes. Luxury wall-mount and island hoods can exceed $5,000.
Where your hood lands is driven mostly by airflow (CFM) and build quality. A hood powerful enough for daily high-heat wok cooking or a large gas range simply costs more than a light-duty recirculating unit — but paying for airflow you'll never use is one of the easiest ways to overspend.
Range Hood Cost by Type
Hood type is the biggest single driver of both unit price and installation difficulty. The table below shows typical 2026 ranges (materials plus labor), drawn from national cost data; your kitchen and region will shift the exact figure.
| Hood Type | Typical Unit Price | Installed Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-cabinet | $100–$700 | $200–$1,000 | Most budget-friendly; often reuses an existing spot |
| Wall-mount / chimney | $200–$700 | $300–$1,200 | Premium designer models run much higher |
| Island | $400–$1,200 | $500–$1,700 | Roof venting + ceiling support raise the cost |
| Downdraft | $850–$1,650 | $1,000–$3,000 | Usually the most expensive option |
| Insert / built-in | $190–$1,000 | $500–$1,500 | Custom cabinetry adds to the total |
| Ductless / recirculating | $100–$400 | $200–$400 | Cheapest; no ductwork required |
Under-Cabinet and Wall-Mount Hoods
These are the two most common styles and the two friendliest to your budget. Under-cabinet hoods tuck beneath existing cabinetry and often reuse an old hood's footprint, which keeps both the unit and the labor low. Wall-mount (chimney) hoods cost a bit more because the chimney is a visible design piece and the mount has to hit wall studs, but they remain a mid-range choice for most kitchens.
Island and Downdraft Hoods
Island hoods are the priciest to install because they hang from the ceiling, usually vent up through the roof, and often need two installers to lift and stabilize a large unit. Downdraft hoods, which rise up behind the cooktop, tend to carry the highest combined price of all — frequently $1,000 to $3,000 installed — because of the mechanism and the counter/cabinet work involved.
Range Hood Installation and Ductwork Cost
Installation is where two identical hoods can end up hundreds of dollars apart. The labor itself is only part of it; the ductwork and electrical are what swing the total.
Labor
For a straightforward replacement, installer labor commonly runs from around $100 to $600, and a simple swap can take as little as an hour to a couple of hours. A full new installation — cutting drywall, routing a new duct, adding a circuit — can take most of a day and push labor toward the top of the range.
Ductwork, Electrical, and Extras
These add-ons are the usual reason a quote jumps:
- New ductwork: roughly $200–$900, depending on length and bends. Every added foot and every 90-degree elbow raises both material and labor cost.
- Electrical: a new outlet or circuit runs about $150–$350; electricians typically charge $50–$150 per hour.
- Old hood removal: disposal of the old unit usually adds about $25–$50, if it isn't already folded into the labor.
- Drywall and finish repair: patching after cutting a new vent hole is an easy line item to overlook.
If you want to skip the ductwork bill entirely, a ductless range hood is the direct way to do it — it filters and recirculates air with no duct run at all, which is why it's consistently the cheapest option to buy and install. The trade-off is that it won't remove heat and moisture the way a ducted hood does, and the charcoal filters need periodic replacement.
What Drives Range Hood Cost Up or Down
Once you know the type, a handful of factors fine-tune your final number:
- Airflow (CFM) and power: higher-CFM, high-static-pressure hoods for serious cooking cost more than light-duty units.
- Material and finish: simple black, white, or bisque finishes cost less than designer stainless, glass, or custom metals.
- Ducted vs. ductless: ductless avoids ductwork cost; ducted is more effective but adds venting expense.
- Replacement vs. new install: a like-for-like swap using existing duct and wiring is by far the cheapest path; retrofitting a new hood with new connections is the most expensive.
- Size and layout: units wider than 30 inches are heavier and may need two installers; awkward or hard-to-reach connections add labor.
- Location: labor in high-cost metros (New York, San Francisco, Boston) can run 15–25% higher, and rural areas may add a travel premium.
How to Get the Right Hood Without Overspending
The goal isn't the cheapest hood — it's the right hood at a fair total. A few moves keep the number honest:
- Match CFM to how you actually cook. Everyday cooking is well served by moderate airflow; reserve high-CFM premium hoods for frequent high-heat or wok cooking.
- Reuse what you have. If your existing duct and outlet are sound, a same-size replacement avoids the most expensive line items.
- Consider ductless where ducting is hard. In an interior kitchen, condo, or rental, recirculating saves the entire ductwork budget.
- Choose a simpler finish. Standard finishes deliver the same ventilation for less.
- DIY the easy parts, hire out the rest. A confident DIYer can handle a like-for-like swap; leave new ductwork, roof penetrations, and electrical to a pro.
Working through the trade-offs before you buy — width, airflow, and whether you can vent outdoors — is the surest way to land on a hood that performs without a surprise on the invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a range hood cost?
In 2026, the hood unit alone runs from about $100 for a basic recirculating model to $3,000 or more for a premium island or downdraft unit. Add installation and the all-in total typically lands between $400 and $1,500, with new-ductwork jobs climbing toward $2,000 or more.
How much does it cost to install a range hood?
Installation averages around $750, with a typical range of $400 to $1,500. A simple replacement using existing duct and wiring can be a few hundred dollars, while a new install with fresh ductwork, roof venting, and electrical can reach $2,000 or beyond.
Which type of range hood is cheapest?
Ductless (recirculating) hoods are the least expensive to buy and install — often $200 to $400 all-in — because they need no ductwork. Basic under-cabinet hoods are the most affordable ducted option.
Why are island range hoods so expensive?
Island hoods hang from the ceiling and usually vent up through the roof, which takes more labor and often two installers for a large unit. They also need secure structural support and typically higher airflow, so both the unit and the installation cost more — commonly $500 to $1,700 installed, and more for premium models.
Does a ductless range hood really cost less?
Yes. Because a ductless hood skips the duct run entirely, it avoids the $200–$900 ductwork line item and the labor that goes with it. The trade-off is that it removes grease and odor but not heat and moisture, and its charcoal filters need replacing over time.
Is it cheaper to replace a range hood or install a new one?
Replacing a hood with a same-size unit on existing duct and electrical is far cheaper — often just labor plus the unit. Installing a hood where there wasn't one, or moving/resizing the venting, adds ductwork, electrical, and drywall costs that can double or triple the total.
